About Us


The European Independent Film Critics Awards is an annual award ceremony celebrating achievement in independently funded European film and cinema. It was etablished in 2009. The first award was held in February 2010. Jury includes many critics from Europe.

 Entry Criteria
According tho the EIFCA, are elegible only independent film. To be considerated an independent film, each movie:
  • must be intended for theatrical release.
  • the film must have attended at least one of the major European festivals.
  • must be produced/predominantly co-produced by an European company or is in receipt of 51% of its budget from an European source/s.
  • must be low budget film: funds do not exceed35 million.
  • may be funded by a major studio (so long as studio funds do not exceed $ 45 million)

During the second edition was created a category to rewad foreign films. Rules for independent foreign films are that each movie:
  • must have an European theatrical release during the eligibility period
  • must be low budget film: funds do not exceed $ 45 million.


Selection List and  Nominees
Each year the editors chose all the films eligible according to the entry criteria. The list of these films is called "Selection List". The number of films in the "Selection" is variable. Among the films in the "Selection List" the jury vote, during the fixed period, the nominees.
There are 13 categories:
  • EIFCA Award for Best European Independent Film (Best Film)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Director of an European Independent Film (Best Director)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Actor in an European Independent Film (Best Actor)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Actress in an European Independent Film (Best Actress)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Production Achievement in an European Independent Film  (Best Producer)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Supporting Actor in an European Independent Film (Best Supporting Actor)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress in an European Independent Film (Best Supporting Actress)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Screenplay in an European Independent Film (Best Screenplay)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Cinematography in an European Independent Film (Best Cinematography)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Production Design in an European Independent Film (Best Production Design)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Editing in an European Independent Film (Best Editing)
  • EIFCA Award for Best Original Score in an European Independent Film (Best Original Score)
  • EIFCA Award for Best International Film (Best International Film)
Each category has five nominees. The only category that has ten nominees is "Best Film".
There is also a special category from the 2013 Edition, the "Equal Opportunity Prize" that is given to the director of the film that, in the opinion of the jury, is the best independent film on European issues related to social issues and equal opportunities.  

 Winners
During the voting period, members of the jury vote for the winners. For each category there may be a single winner. In case of a tie, however, the award may be shared by more films.